Fayose kicks over Ekiti SIEC

04.05.2008

FORMER governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Peter Ayodele Fayose, has kicked against the manner the state legislature endorsed the list of nominees for the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC). Mr. Fayose, who spoke with journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, said that the way Ekiti State government caused the legislature to sit at odd hours with seven members to approve the list was “primitive and barbaric”.

The 26-House member had last Tuesday met at about 5.30 a.m with only seven PDP members in attendance and approved the list of SIEC nominees. The former governor said the action of the state legislature was simply a re-enactment of the Obasanjo era when the rule of law was trampled upon with arrogance, while orderliness, caution and decency were thrown to the winds.

He recalled that it was during the Obasanjo administration that some state assemblies without forming quorum sat at dawn to remove governors and carried out other illegal acts, with particular reference to the sack of the former Ekiti State Chief Judge by the legislature.

Fayose said that the trend in Ekiti, if not checked, could snowball into crisis that may engulf the fountain of knowledge. “Permit me to say that the issue goes beyond party lineage and interest but a matter of national interest and concern. “I call on all well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and condemn this continued, unabated life of illegality that has enveloped our young state before it becomes contagious.’’